Dan Marino’s back and legs may have forced him out of football last year, but it seems his head and his heart are still very much in the game.

The NFL’s all-time leading passer admits he misses playing and has been following Miami’ resurgence, claiming the Dolphins will hold off the Jets in the AFC East and could even win the Super Bowl.

“I miss the competition. I don’t miss going through camp, and all the meetings, but when you do something [that long] … I played football for 30 years of my life. I’m 39 now, so when that ends and you know that you’re never gonna do it again, it’s a little difficult,” said Marino, in town yesterday to receive MTH Electric Trains’ $350,000 donation to the Dan Marino Children’s Foundation.

Marino rewrote the NFL record books, including career marks for passing yards (61,361) and TDs (420), and he set the single-season marks for yards (5,084) and TDs (48) when he led the Dolphins to their last Super Bowl appearance in 1984. He’s convinced they can go back this year.

“I have a lot of friends, people I went to war with on that team. Some guys I played with over 10 years, so I’m real happy for them,” Marino said. “I believe they’re gonna have the opportunity to go to the Super Bowl. I think they’ll be one of the best in the AFC come January.

“They’re running the ball. Lamar Smith is a player. He’s surprised everyone. And anytime your defense is the best in the league, you’re got a chance to win every week.”

Marino, who nearly signed with Minnesota this offseason, says the Vikes are in the best shape in the NFC with a league-best 11-2 record. As for the Jets’ chances to catch Miami – they’re a game behind at 9-4, but swept 40-37 and 20-3 to earn the tiebreaker – he advises New Yorkers’ not to hold their breath. The Jets’ play at Oakland, Detroit, and at Baltimore (27-12) while Miami’s foes (Tampa Bay, Indianapolis and at New England) are just 19-20.

“The Jets have got their work cut out for them. Going to Oakland’s not an easy task.”